Craftsman seems to have gone Chinese

[team101]

I was perusing the shelves  at Sears last night and noticed a lot of the craftsman ratchets, breakers, extensions, and other tools are now made in china or Taiwan. I paid for American made craftsman tools because they are American made.  I hope they don't break, as I won't be happy trading them for made in china tools.  Hopefully the quality hasn't gone south.

[quickdtoo]

Not all their tools are made in China, Ace Hardware sells Craftsman tools, I just bought a set of US made screwdrivers on sale, best advice is read the label, they're clearly marked where they're made. China sourced Craftsman tools is a big topic on the Craftsman forum

Tim


http://www.acehardware.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=4339735

http://community.craftsman.com/Tools/topics/Not-buying-Chinese-Craftsman-tools/posts?page=1

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sears-agrees-to-sell-craftsman-tools-at-ace-hardware-2010-02-20

[Cemo]

Craftsman, Snap-on, Proto, Blackhawk and most others are made in Taiwan. A tool salesman friend of mind toured a plant in Taiwan. He said when he walked into the meeting room and Logo Signs of most of "American Made" tools were on the walls. These were the tools the he was touring produced. While touring the plant he noticed Snap-on cardboard packing boxes with "Made In USA" printed on them. He asked how do they get away with that. He said the tour guide said "The China government does not care if a tool made in China has a "Made In USA" stamp on it". He found out that some of the German tool companies have their tools made in China, have them shipped to them, stamp and repackage them and send them on the the USA for sale as German made tools.
   

[team101]

Quickdtoo, USA made screwdrivers...for now.  I guess the main issue I have is paying for an American tool now and having to accept a Chinese replacement when it breaks.  I agree...check the label carefully!  Just wanted others to be aware.  Regards.

[mannyrock]

   
    Their power tools (such as table saws, drill presses etc.) went Chinese a long time ago.   I worked at Harbor Freight for a year, and they are 100% Chinese.  Some of it is absolute junk, and some of it is remarkably good.   All depends on the particular product.
 
     Chinese steelworkers, who work with molten steel, are willing to work for 50 cents an hour.   Compare that to the union wages of a U.S. steelworker, and even the non-union wages.   Accordingly, it is absolutely impossible for U.S. manufacturers to compete with Chinese  made steel products on a price basis.
 
     And, since I am a total free-enterprise guy, and don't believe in the government subsidizing wages or excluding foreign products with trade barriers just to prop up domestic companies (all of which is socialism and very widely practiced in Europe), I simply buy the very best tool I can for the money, whether it be foreign or domestic.
 
Mannyrock.